Well known regional chef Patrick Evans-Hylton asked me to be one of the judges in Taste of the Region at the Parade of Homes in Cypress Creek, Smithfield, VA. We got to check out several beautiful homes and try delicious food from the Smithfield area easily accessible to those moving into the area.

Last stop was at Just Cupcakes gave us dessert with a chocolate cupcake. Afterwards we made our way back to our starting point to hand out awards. We met Blanche there, her son was the builder for that particular house, and she had this amazing Chewy Bread. I need to tell more people about that stuff—caramel with nuts, melts in your mouth. She sells the bread and other sweeties from her business Blanche’s “Legendary” Chewy Bread & Sweet Treats.

After it was all said and done we made our way back to our cars and drove home. Shelby and I saw a green shooting star and a couple of young deer on the way out. Fun night.